The New Social Worker Vol. 20, No. 4, Fall 2013 | Page 28

Poetry What Is Justice? by Tiriq Callaway, MSW What is justice when supremacy doesn’t know the difference between social helping and social control? What is justice when authority figures help others momentarily to get votes at the polls? What is justice when we cannot freely live? What is justice when we can barely raise our kids? What is justice when a dollar is more valuable than one’s life? What is justice when we’ve been granted with both hands but not entitled to our right? What is justice when black men were forced to fight to the death and that be okay? What is justice when it’s a crime when the same thing is done with animals...it’s quite obvious what this message conveys! What is justice when the truth is hidden behind false stories? What is justice when we’ve been persuaded to believe in fraudulent glories? What is justice when we are mentally enslaved? What is justice when that mentality drives us to the grave? What is justice when we know what our rights are, but afraid to stand up for them? What is justice when we are taught to forget where we come from? What is justice when we see liquor stores crowded in our many urban neighborhoods? What is justice when so many innocent people are misunderstood? What is justice when a light skinned man can do as much as he pleases without any questions asked? What is justice when a colored man can’t walk freely to the corner store without being harassed? What is justice when racism still exists right in our front rooms? What is justice when minorities around the world are subject to doom? What is justice when prisons are not for rehabilitation? What is justice when jails are for grossing a bigger business not amelioration? What is justice when gun control is in high demand? What is justice when weapons primarily were allocated to gain command that they now cannot disband? What is justice when someone committing a murder gets more time than someone who sells drugs? What is justice when the judicial system cares nothing about the crime committed and continues to fill their monetary jugs? What is justice when the government distributes drugs amongst our communities? What is justice when those same authorities indict people for drug sales they’ve practically placed in people’s hands for productivity? What is justice when during presidency they always address the middle class and rich? What is justice when although the poor is sufficient they are still treated as if they don’t exist? What is justice when people are still homeless and hungry? What is justice when we are the richest country but still that issue remains a mystery? What is justice when people are homeless they are put on a long waiting list to be housed? What is justice when those same individuals fade away into a cemetery crowd? What is justice when we have to fight to help? We can show the people justice when we wisely and consciously expose the political stealth! WHAT IS JUSTICE, WHAT IS JUSTICE, WHAT IS JUSTICE??? Tiriq Callaway, MSW, is a 2013 graduate of the master’s program for social work at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey. He is motivated by his family and inspired by his faith. He is striving to be the best social worker that he can be by advocating for the impoverished and underpriviledged individuals in the world, and speaking up for those who don't have a voice. He lives to help others, as he believes that is his purpose here in life and will do anything for the betterment of others. 26 The New Social Worker Fall 2013 Audio Feature Burning Rooms and Trains by Mozart Guerrier, MSW Listen at: https://soundcloud. com/mgspeaks/burningrooms-and-trains About the Poem: This poem explores the experience of a housing case worker having a client who demands he view and visit her apartment fire and directly witness the loss of her home. The poem explores the contextual and personal implications of helping and hurting as a social worker. About the Poet: Mozart Guerrier is a performance poet and social worker living in Syracuse, NY. He performs poems and lectures on social innovation 0?B6???VvW2??B?'&?v??V??fW'6?G??b&?6?W7FW"??6??fW&V?6W2???B7V?GW&?6V?FW'27&?70?F?R6?V?G'???R?2&??r@??GG???wwr??w7V?2?6???6???r??F?P?v??FW"#@??77VR?`??7V?GW&??6V?6?F?fR&?6??F?v?&???rv?F??g&?6??W&?6?6?V?G0?&???&Wf?Ww2?????B??&R??